December 31, 2012, 11:45AM

Gulf of Mexico shrimpers have filed petitions with the federal government seeking relief from subsidized shrimp imports. The move came several weeks after Gulf of Mexico shrimpers hailed a House bill that included a provision to increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection's powers to combat illegal imports. Have you purchased imported shrimp in the past month? Do you eat... Full story »

December 31, 2012, 8:27AM

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Owners of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, said Friday (Dec. 28) that they will receive $9.3 million from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to settle part of a lawsuit the circus owners filed against the ASPCA and several other animal-rights groups. Feld Entertainment, which owns Ringling... Full story »

December 28, 2012, 6:31PM

The White House and Senate leaders made a final stab at compromise Friday night to prevent middle-class tax increases from taking effect at the turn of the new year and possibly block sweeping spending cuts as well. Full story »

December 28, 2012, 4:31PM

First-time unemployment claims in Louisiana dropped during the week ending Dec. 22, from 3,532 the previous week to 3,495, but the four-week moving average ticked upward and the one-week number was above the comparable week in 2011, the Louisiana Workforce Commission reported on Friday. In its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims, the commission also said continuing unemployment insurance... Full story »

December 28, 2012, 3:06PM

New Orleans tourism officials are toasting 2012 in its closing days as a year full of accolades for the city's appeal to visitors. Travel + Leisure magazine declared it the best American city to visit in November. Conde Nast Traveler ranked it in the top 10 in the United States in October. It received a World Tourism Award at... Full story »

December 28, 2012, 9:00AM

No meetings schedules this week. UPCOMING EVENTS MONDAY, JAN. 7 NEW ORLEANS GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY: Mike Hudec will present "Explanation for differences in deep-water salt tectonics between the north-central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico" at the group's luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 330 Loyola Avenue. For talk abstract and reservations, visit www.nogs.org/nogs_events.html. For more information, call 504.561.8980. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9... Full story »

December 27, 2012, 11:48AM

WASHINGTON -- The White House is urging dockworkers and shipping companies to reach agreement "as quickly as possible" on a contract extension for East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers whose existing pact expires this week. President Barack Obama spokesman Matt Lehrich says the White House is monitoring the situation closely and urges the parties to "continue their work at... Full story »

December 27, 2012, 10:58AM

As the last days of 2012 tick away, politicians in Washington continue grappling to find an agreement between the political parties to avoid previously scheduled sharp tax increases and spending cuts starting on Jan. 1. President Barack Obama and members of the U.S. Senate begin returning from the Christmas holiday to make another attempt at dodging the "fiscal cliff."... Full story »

December 27, 2012, 7:09AM

SEATTLE -- Even Mark Zuckerberg's family can get tripped up by Facebook's privacy settings. A picture that Zuckerberg's sister posted on her personal Facebook profile was seen by a marketing director, who then posted the picture to Twitter and her more than 40,000 followers Wednesday. That didn't sit well with Zuckerberg's sister, Randi, who tweeted at Callie Schweitzer that... Full story »

December 26, 2012, 4:01PM

LOS ANGELES -- A plaintiffs' attorney says Toyota Motor Corp. has reached a settlement in a case involving hundreds of lawsuits over accelerations problems. Steve Berman said Wednesday the settlement, which still needs a federal judge's approval, was worth more than $1 billion and is the largest settlement in U.S. history involving automobile defects. Toyota has recalled more than... Full story »

December 26, 2012, 2:16PM

After more than seven years of frustration, false hope and dead ends, Dwayne Boudreaux this week finally lined up all the money he says he'll need to rehabilitate and reopen the Circle Food Store in the 7th Ward. The financing includes federal new market tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits, funds from the state Office of Community... Full story »

December 26, 2012, 1:18PM

Florida native and New Orleans transplant John Hogan, who bought storied Irish Channel bar Parasol's in 2010, has died. The cause of death has yet to be determined. He was discovered dead Monday morning by his wife, Thea, just one day after his 56th birthday. He is also survived by his son, Alex, 23; stepson James Lugenbuhl, 26; and... Full story »

December 26, 2012, 8:27AM

WASHINGTON -- U.S. shoppers spent cautiously this holiday season, a disappointment for retailers who slashed prices to lure people into stores and now must hope for a post-Christmas burst of spending. Sales of electronics, clothing, jewelry and home goods in the two months before Christmas increased 0.7 percent compared with last year, according to the MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse report.... Full story »

December 25, 2012, 9:40AM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is stepping up its dining options just in time for the Super Bowl. New Orleans CityBusiness reports that the latest additions will be offshoots of Dooky Chase -- a famous Creole restaurant -- and Ye Old College Inn, a popular casual restaurant. Airport spokeswoman Michelle Wilcut says both will... Full story »